Ancient Roman Empire -AR Denarius - Antonius, Gordian III - Circa (238-244) AD

Denomination: AR Denarius - Gordian III

Description: Obverse: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.  Reverse: P M TR P V COS II P P, Gordian standing right, holding spear and globe. 

Weight: 4.05  grams (22 mm)

Mint: Roman Empire 

Date: Circa (238-244 AD)

History: Gordian III (Latin: Marcus Antonius Gordianus (20 January 225 – 11 February 244 AD) was Roman emperor from AD 238 to AD 244. At the age of 13, he became the youngest sole Roman emperor. Gordian was the son of Antonia Gordiana and Junius Balbus, who died before 238. Antonia Gordiana was the daughter of Emperor Gordian I and younger sister of Emperor Gordian II. Very little is known of his early life before his acclamation. Gordian had assumed the name of his maternal grandfather in 238 AD.  

Due to Gordian's age, the imperial government was surrendered to the aristocratic families, who controlled the affairs of Rome through the Senate. In 240, Sabinianus revolted in the African province, but he was quickly defeated. In 241, Gordian was married to Furia Sabinia Tranquillina, daughter of the newly appointed praetorian prefect, Timesitheus. As chief of the Praetorian Guard and father-in-law of the Emperor, Timesitheus quickly became the de facto ruler of the Roman Empire.

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Gordian III